U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Holly Beard, stationed at Fort Shafter, typically has a 10-minute commute to the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) campus in Waikiki. However, it took nearly a year for her to get in its doors to attend the highly sought-after Indo-Pacific Orientation Course (IPOC). “Not only did I hear there were more than 100 people on the waitlist for this course, I personally applied almost a year ago, and it’s taken me that long to get in,” said Beard, sitting in the shade of the 200-year-old monkeypod tree that anchors the gardens surrounding Maluhia Hall at DKI APCSS. A civil affairs officer, Beard found IPOC 24-2 a valuable learning experience. “It’s a very fast-paced, but also relevant, orientation to the Indo-Pacific theater—not only from a Department of Defense lens, but with a strong presence from the State Department and other allies and partners.” As a reservist, Beard said she rarely has the time to dive into such topics. “Something I really hope to take back to my team is a better understanding of the complexities associated with this theater,” she added. Held in October 2024, IPOC 24-2 was an executive education course designed for mid-career to senior-level security practitioners to enhance their ability to engage in cooperative security efforts that advance a free and open Indo-Pacific.